NewsCorp Australia reports that 686 koalas were culled near the Great Ocean Road in 2013 and 2014 in response to overpopulation in manna gum woodlands in the area.
The koalas, many of which were starving, were reportedly killed via lethal injection after being captured in trees.
“They are just dying anyway, they are dying now,’’ said Frank Fotinas, owner of the nearby Bimbi Park campground at Cape Otway.
NewsCorp reports that the recently elected Andrews Government is considering options on how to deal with starvation in the koala habitat at Cape Otway, about 230km southwest of Melbourne.
Victorian Environment Minister Lisa Neville said while she was willing to be "open and transparent" in the future, she wasn't ruling out further culls to the koala population.
"This is a challenging and complex issue that we need to address humanely and effectively," Ms Neville said.
"I am seeking advice from biodiversity experts on the best available options to prevent extended suffering within the existing koala population at Cape Otway from starvation and ill health.
"We will be guided by the advice of experts in the field to assess the best options to prevent suffering and we will be open and transparent with the community while doing so."
Deskey Whisson, a koala expert at Deakin University, said the animals were in such ill health that euthanasia was the only option. "It was a blessing when the vets came," she said.
The cull is said to have occurred in secret to avoid a backlash from activists and locals.
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